Overview
- About 2,000 residents marched in Crowborough on Sunday, chanting “Starmer out” to oppose using the town’s army training camp for 600 single men.
- The Home Office has identified the site for up to 600 lone males for a reported 12-month period starting in the new year, tied to efforts to cut hotel use and proposed reforms that would make refugee status temporary with a 20-year route to settlement.
- Crowborough Shield says it has raised more than £12,000 for legal action, with chair Kim Bailey arguing the plan is “wrong” and will not be offset by national policy changes.
- Organisers say another demonstration is planned next weekend as community mobilisation expands following a heated public meeting last week.
- Residents report safety and GP access concerns, with some installing panic alarms, and campaigners allege asbestos and water-system risks at the camp, claims reported locally without independent verification.